Zero tolerance to defaming of Prophet, Islam: PM

Zero tolerance to defaming of Prophet, Islam: PM

In a strong warning against those defaming Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday night said her government would not tolerate any derogatory remark against the Prophet (pbuh) any religion, including Islam.

â€œStern actions will be taken against those defaming the Prophet (pbuh) and various religions, including Islam,â€ she told a delegation of Bangladesh Tariqat Federation who met her at her official residence Ganobhaban.

Federation chairman Alhaj Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari led the 13-member delegation. Sheikh Hasina said arrangements have been made in the constitution as per the Madina Charter enabling the people of all faiths to perform their own religious rituals.

â€œWe had shut down the video-sharing site YouTube for releasing controversial film â€˜Innocence of Islamâ€™ as we think the broadcasting of such things which defame the Prophet (pbuh) is a serious offence,â€ Hasina added.

The Prime Minister also came down heavily on the BNP-Jamaat for their violent acts on the first day of the HSC examinations, saying that the examinees got panicked due to their violence.

She said Bangladesh was freed from the stigma of a terrorist and militant country as her government has curbed these social vices with an iron hand. â€œBut, ill-efforts are again underway to bring back militancy and terrorism in the country again.â€

Tariqat Federation President Alhaj Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari strongly condemned the heinous attacks on policemen and destruction of the public transports by the BNP-Jamaat men. â€œMuslims canâ€™t burn anybody to death,â€ he said.

He said Jamaat-Shibir â€˜terroristsâ€™ can unleash violence by joining Hefajat-e-Islamâ€™s long march to Dhaka scheduled for April 6 and urged the government to remain alert about the subversive acts of Jamaat-Shibir men.

The Tariqat Federation also placed an 11-point demand before the Prime Minister, including reorganising the committee formed to identify and take actions against those defaming the Prophet (pbuh) and Islam through social media and blogs.